Hot like Sriracha - Oakland Afro Sounds

Joni Haastrup is responsible for this Afro Boogie jam that calls out to free the people around the world. Recorded in London 1978 on the wonderful Afrodesia label, Joni Haastrup's first solo album, Wake Up Your Mind takes AfroSoul to the next level. I hear great influences in this album from the likes of sounds of the times like RAMP, Gary Bartz and even P Funk. But there is an undeniable African rhythm that carries this soul train across borders. Kool Herc and Afrika Bambaata would be able to play the entire song "Greetings" without lifting a needle or juggling records, because after the one minute spacey intro, it's like a five minute non stop break. I wonder if they were hip to this record back then?

He is one of the house DJs at Baobab and can be found at parties across the Bay spinning everything funky from Africa plus bhangra and reggae, a true party soldier that knows how to get the people moving.

I was happy to find Elembe's soundsystem set up next to the African food tent while waiting in line for plantains and black eyed peas at the Life is Living fest in Oakland earlier this month where I also stumbled upon a live performance by Los Rakas.